Motor-driven lubricant-feeder.



I. RICE. MOTOR -DnIvEN LumcANT FEEDER.

APPLICATION FILED APR. I5, |914.

' Patented June 6, 1916.

l u zsHEETs-SHEETI INVENTOR:

Wt/gauw i ATTORNEY.

THE COLUMBIA PLANDGRAPH c0., WASHINGTUN, D. C.

JOHN RICE, or sALINEvILLi-i, 01110.

MOTOR-DRIVEN LUBRICANT-FEEDER.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented J une 6, 1916.

Application led April 15, 1914. Serial No. 832,059.

T 0 all whom z' may concern.'

Be it known that I, JOHN RICE, a citizen of the United States, residingat Salineville, in the county of Columbiana and State of Chio, haveinvented a new and useful Motor-Driven Lubricant-Feeder, of which thefollowing is a specification, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon. i

This invention'relates to apparatus for forcing lubricating oil tovarious parts of machinery or into valve chests of steam cylinders, orwherever the oil may be required, the invention having reference moreparticularly to a motor-driven lubricant-feeder adapted to be operatedindependently of the engine or machine to which it may be feeding thelubricant.

I An object of the invention is to provide a simple and reliablelubricant-feeder, more particularly of the multiple feed type, and whichshall be s0 constructed as to be complete and self-contained and not bedependent upon moving machinery from which to derive motion, to the endthat the lubricantfeeder maybe conveniently placed in the cab of alocomotive or portable engine where the lubricant will not be exposedtovlow temperatures and become thick, such-position permitting -theengine men to conveniently take care of the feeder and readily see atall times that it is properly operating when required.

Another object of the invention is to provide a motor-drivenlubricant-feeder that shall be adapted to be operated either by 'Y meansof steam or by compressed-air in order that the feeder mayv beconveniently located in a warm position and be capable of furnishing thelubricant before the engine or rmachinery is put in motionthuseliminating the disadvantages of lubricantfeeders that der-ive theirmotion from moving parts of machinery. .y

A still further object of the invention is to provide a lubricant-feederof such construction as to be readily adaptable for feeding oil to anydesired number .of points from one reservoirrsofthat one feeder onlyrequires attention in the regulation of the feeding capacity, andinllingthe reservoir and starting or stopping the feeder, a

`requirement in many power plants.

`proved pump.

With the above-mentioned and other objects in view, the inventionconsists in a lubricant-feeder' comprising a reservoir containing one ormore pump or pumps for feeding oil from the reservoir, and actuatingmechanism for the-pump, or pumps provided with a motor that is mountedon the reservoir and preferably adapted to be actuated by means of steamor compressed air, the oil feeder including.improvements in variousfea-tures of the pumping apparatusand also in the operating mechanismtherefor; and the invention consistsfurther in thenovel parts andcombinations and arrangementsof parts as hereinafter particularlydescribed and further pointed out in the accompanying claims. l

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of the improvedlubricant feeder l constructed substantially in accordance with theinvention; Fig. 2, a vertical section on the line A A in Fig. 1; Fig. 3,a fragmentary section on an enlarged scale on the line B B in Fig. 2;Fig. 4:, a perspective view of one of the parts of the pump-operatingmechanism; Fig. 5, a sectional view approximately on the line C C inFig. 2; Fig. 6, a horizontal section approximately on the line D D inFig. l; Fig. 7. a fragmentary section en the line E E in Fig. 6; Fig. 8,a fragmentary section on the line F F in Fig. 7 Fig. 9, a fragmentarysection on the line G Gr in Fig. 6; Fig. 10, a fragmentary section ofone of the outlet or-vdeliveryA pipes and avalve therein, and Fig. l1 isa fragmentary section `showing details of one of the conduits of the im-In the different figures ,of theV drawings corresponding referencecharacters indicate likeparts or features of construction hereinreferred to.

As illustrative of the Yconstruction and -mode-of operation of theimproved lubricant-feeder, a machine is shownwhich conveniently isadapted for feeding lubricant through three lines of piping from asingle reservoir which comprises a bottom l on which is a sidewallcomprising two oppositely arranged straight portions `2 and 3 and twoother oppositely arranged portions 4 and 5, one vwall portion preferablybeing provided with a drain plug 6, two of the wall portions preferablybeing provided with securing ears 7 and 8 respectively, and a cover 9 issuitably secured removably to the top of the wall and has a lling hole10 therein preferably provided with a strainer 11, the hole beingnormally closed by means of a cap or plug 12. The two opposite wallportions 3 and 2 are provided on the inner side thereof with journalboxes 13 and 14 respectively, a guide boss 15 being formed on thebotto-m 1 adjacent to and preferably connected with the box 14, and theouter end of the box 14 is provided with a packing box 1G. The boss 15has a vertically arranged socket-like guideway 17 therein.

Three pump castings 18, 18, 18, are provided, each being alike andadapted to form two pump barrels and necessary ports connected with thebarrels. Two of the castings are secured to the inner side of the wallportion 4 by means of cap screws 19 and 19 respectively, the remainingcasting being sured to the inner side of the wall portion 5 by means ofa cap screw 19, there being space remaining for another pump if desired.The two pump barrels in each casting are arranged for convenience oneabove the other, the lower barrel 20 or 20 being a primary pump barrel,the upperbarrel 21, 21', or 21 being a delivery pump barrel. Preferablythe lower barrel is provided with a wearing lining 22, and the upperbarrel with a lining 23 which obviously may be removed and replaced bynew linings. Each primary pump barrel is provided with an inlet port 24from which a port 25 extends through the lining or bushing of the barrelso as to be approximately mid-way between the ends thereof. Each castinghas a socket 26 in the upper portion thereof from which an inlet port 27extends to the lining 23, the latter having a continuing port opening 28in the wall thereof at a suitable distance from the inner end of thelining. Preferably the delivery pump barrel is longer than the primarybarrel, a plunger 29 being closely fitted to move in the lining of theprimary barrel, a relatively longer plunger 30 being similarly ittedinto the lining of the delivery barrel. The plungers may be variouslyoperated, and it will be understood that when drawn outward the oilenters the barrels through the ports, the

'latter being closed by the plungers when moved inward,V so that theplungers with the ports serve as .check valves to cut off the supply ofoil to the cylinders. Each casting has alateral projection 31 in whichis an outlet port 32 extending from the inward end of the primary pumpbarrel, theV casting having also an outlet port 33 extending from theinner end of the delivery pump barrel. Three discharge pipes 34, 34',and 34 are provided for the respective pumps, each pipe being screwedinto the upper p0rbore. An improved check valve is provided whichcomprises a plug 37 that is screwed into the lower end portion of thebore 35 and has a conical valve seat 38 on its inner or upper portion,the plug having a port 39 extending therethrough. The lower end of theplug has a slot 40 therein to receive a screw-driver. A valve body 41 isslidingly guided in the bore 35 and has a conical lower end 42 in whichis a recess 43 adapted to receive the end portion of the valve seat 38.The valve body has longitudinal grooves 44 in its surface for thepassage of oil, and a spring 45 is arranged in the bore 35 and seated onthe valve body and also against the shoulder 36, an outlet channel 46extending from the bore through which to discharge the oil into a linepipe which may be suitably connected to the discharge pipe for conveyingthe oil to such point as may be desired. The improved check valve andits seat are designed to prevent trouble and leakage arising fromsedimentary or foreign substances in the oil and permitting the valve tobe readily cleaned if necessary.

In order to conduct the oil from the primary to the delivery pumpbarrels a suitable number of connections are provided, there being threepipes 47, 47, and 47, each pipe being screwed into the top of theprojection 31 of a barrel casting so as to have communication with theport 32, and the lower portion of the pipe is adapted to constitute avalve chest having a check valve substantially as above described, thepipe having a bore 35 at the end of which is a shoulder 36, a plug 37being screwed into the mouth of the bore and having a conical valve seat38 thereon, a port 39 extending through the plug, the plug having a slot40 in its lower end. A valve body 41 is arranged in the bore and has aconical end 42 normally arranged on the valve seat. the end of the bodyhaving a recess 43 therein to receive the end portion of the seat, andthe exterior of the valve body has lgrooves 44 to form passages for theoil. A spring 45 normally holds the valve yieldingly to its seat. Thepipe has a channel 48 therein extending from the bore 35 to the upperend of the pipe, the upper end having a journal portion 49 that has arelatively smaller external diameter than the remaining portion, and thechannel Y is closed by means of a cap 50 screwed onto `the journalportion, the wall of the latter having a port 51 extending to the bottomof an external groove 52 for the passage of oil outward and about thejournal irrespective of the position in which the pipe 47 may be afterscrewing it into the projection 31. A collar 53 is fitted closely ontothe journal portion 49 so as to cover the groove 52 and it has ahorizontal branch pipe 54 thereon in which is a channel 55,

the under portion of the branch pipe having a socket 56 from which aduct 57 extends to the channel 55. Each branch pipe has a valve body 58,58', or 58 thereon that has a chamber 59 therein communicating with thechannel 55, there being a valve seat 60 in the bottom of the chamber,the bottom having a drop nozzle 61 thereon. A valve stein 62, 62', or 62is suitably screwed into the valve body and has a valve 63 on its innerend adapted to regulate the feeding of the oil past the valve seat. Avertical branch pipe 64, 64', or 64 is screwed into each socket 26 forconducting the oil to the delivery pump barrel, anda sight feed glass65, 65, or 65v is connected to the valve body 58 and also the branchpipe 64.

In order to permit the pump to run steadily and not createover-pressure, each branch pipe 54 preferably is provided with anover-flow pipe 66 that is connected to the socket 56, there being achannel 67 in the pipe to receive'the surplus oil from the port 57, thelower portion of the pipe-being adapted to constitute a valve chesthaving a vsmooth bore 68 therein at the inner end of which a valve seat69 is formed, the wall of the valve chest having an outlet port 70therein that is normally closed by a valve 71 held on the valve seat bymeans of a spring 72 that is supported on a plug 73 screwed into thelower end of the pipe and having a drain duct 74 therein. It will beunderstood that resistance of the spring may be varied so that more orless pressure for feeding the oil may be obtained before overow occurs.

The means preferably employed for actuating the pump plungers preferablycomprises a drive-shaft 75 that is rotatably mounted in the boxes 13 and14 and extends through the packing box 16, a cylinder being rotatablymounted eccentrically on the shaft so as to constitute a relatively longeccentric 76 t0 which a ratchet wheel 77 is suitably secured, the wheelbeing concentrically arranged on the shaft to rotate thereon. A pawl 78is movably arranged in the guideway 17 upon a spring 79 which normallyforces the pawl upward in contact with the ratchet wheel to prevent thelatter from turning backward. An arm 80 is fixedly secured to the shaft75 between the ratchet wheel and the box 14 and it has a guide head 81thereon in which a dog 82 is mov.-

ably mounted and normally pressed into contact with the ratchet wheel bymeans of a spring 83 arranged inthe head behind the dog. A suitablenumber -of yokes are provided lthat comprise main bars 84, 84', and 84"respectively, and integral crooks or arches 85, 85', and 85 that extendfrom the bars respectively and have retracting bars 86, 86, and 86thereon respectively, each main bar being secured to the two plungers ofthe pump and extending in contact with one portion of the eccentric 76,the opposite retracting bar being in contact with the opposite Vportio-nof the eccentric, so that on rotation of the eccentric the plungers arecaused to have reciprocatory motion. Preferably a' toothedJ pinion 87 issecured to the shaft 75 beyondthe outer side of the wall portion 2 ofthe reservoir.

The motor preferably employed comprises a power cylinder 88 having heads89 and 90, the latter beingv provided with a packing box 91. Thecylinder is provided adjacent tothe head 90 with a supporting plate 92which is suitably secured fixedly to the wall of the reservoir, as bymeans of cap screws 93 and 93. suitable piston is arranged in thecylinder and preferably comprises a cylindrical portion 94 having heads95 and 95, the piston being provided with a rod 96 extending through thehead 90, the outer end of the rod being suitably provided with a toothedrack-bar 97 that isin mesh with the pinion 87. Steam or compressedl airmay be admitted to the cylinder by various valve means, a well-knowntype of valve 98 being suitable, the valve being movably arranged on acylindrical portion 94 of the piston and provided with heads 99 and 99.The arrangement of ports being well known requires no description, beingsuch as to control the motive iuidso as to effect the reversal ofmovement of theP piston at the proper periods, the motive fluid beingadmitted to the cylinder through a pipe 100 provided with athrottle-valve 101. A casing is provided which comprises a front plate102 and a bearing flange or rim 103 which is suitably secured to thewall portion `2 of the reservoir, the casing inclosing the pinion 87 andthe'rack-bar 97, the front plate 102 of the casing having ajournalbearing 104 through which the shaft 75 extends so that the latter may berotated if necessary vwithout removing the casing. The rack-bar 97preferably is provided with a suitable guide to retain it in contactwiththe pinion, the guide preferably comprising a boss or block 105suitablysupported in the casing, preferably by the fiange or rim thereofsoas to *be opposite the back or upper side of the rack-bar, and ifdesired the boss or guide block may be provided with an axle 106arranged in a recess and on which a guide roller 107 is supported toroll in contact with the rack-bar. The outer end of the shaft 7 5 isprovided with a hand crank 108 whereby the shaft may be rotated tooperate the pumps temporarily if for any reason it may be so desired orrequired. The under portion of the casing preferably has a drain hole109 therein, it being understood that in the type of piston and valveshown the steam may be exhausted through the piston rod and into thecasing, so that the latter serves as a muffler besides covering andprotecting the gearing.

In practical use the reservoir is placed most advantageously in aprotected and warm position rather than in an exposed situation remotefrom the engineer or attendant and therefore may be readily observed andinspected, the reservior being periodically supplied with lubricatingoil as may be required. In operation, the driving shaft 75 is rotatedand reversed alternatively and therefore the dog 82 causes intermittentrotation of the ratchet wheel 77 and the eccentric 7 6 on the shaft, theeccentric imparting reciprocating motion to the pump plungers. The oilis received from the reservoir into the primary pump barrel and forcedout through the pipe 47, thence through the branch 54, the oil being fedthrough the drop nozzle 61 and passing through the pipe 64 and thence tothe delivery pump barrel, any surplus returning through the pipe 66 tothe reservoir. From the delivery pump barrel the oil is forced throughthe discharge pipe connected therewith. The speed of the motor may beregulated by means of the throttle-valve 101 according to therequirements, the supply of oil being regulated by means of the valve 63as will be understood, and it will be clear that the lubricant-feedermay be operated before the machinery has started So that the machineryis immediately lubricated upon being put in motion, and in many casesthe feeder may be stopped some time before the machinery is stopped sothat the waste of lubricant is avoided. In some cases it may beconvenient to operate the feederV by means of the hand crank in order tofill the pipe lines and supply the lubricant in case compressed air isemployed for actuating the motor, and when the supply of compressed airmay not be available until after a compressor is in operation.

It will be understood that various modifications in the details ofconstruction may be made within the scope of the appended claims, andthat various results of the operation of the oil feeder will be clearlyunderstood from the 'detail description of the construction and functionof the various parts j thereof.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is- 1. In alubricant-feeder, the combination of a reservoir, a casing secured tothe exterior of the reservoir and provided with a journal bearing, ashaft rotatably mounted in the wall of the reservoir and extendingthrough said journal bearing, a feed-pump supported in the reservoir andoperatively connected with the shaft, a pinion in said casing andsecured to said shaft, a motor having a piston rod that extends intosaid casing, a rack-bar connected to said rod and having engagement withsaid pinion, a guide for said rack-bar supported in said casing, and ahand crank connected to said shaft on the outer side of said casing.

2. In a lubricant-feeder, the combination of a pump barrel having aninlet port in its side and an outlet port in its inner end, a piperemovably connected at one end with the outlet port and having arelatively large bore extending from the connected end, a plug screwedinto said end and having a conical valve seat on its inner end, the plughaving a port extending from the outlet port through said seat, a valvebody movably fitted into said bore and having conical end in which isarecess normally receiving the end portion of said seat, said body havinglongitudinal grooves in its outer side, a spring interposed between saidvalve body and the bottom of said bore, anda plunger movable in thebarrel.

3. In a lubricant-feeder, the combination of a reservoir comprising twoopposite side wall portions, a power cylinder having a supporting platefixed on one end portion thereof that is fixedly secured to the exteriorof one of the wall portions',l the plate supporting the cylinder inprojected position, a feed-pump supported in the reservoir, a shaftrotatably mounted in the two wall portions and extending through saidone of the portions, a toothed pinion. exterior to the wall portion andsecured to the shaft, said shaft being adapted to actuate the feedpump,a piston movable in the cylinder, a rod connected to the piston andextending adjacent to said one of the wall portions, a toothed rack-barconnected to the rod and having engagement with the pinion, and a guidesupported by said wall portion for guiding the rack-bar.

4. In a lubricant-feeder, Vthe combination of a reservoir comprising abottom and a wall on the bottom comprising four portions, two journalboxes fixed on the inner sides of two opposite portions respectively ofthe wall, a boss fixed on the bottom of the reservoir adjacent to one ofsaid boxes and having a vertical guideway therein, a shaft rotatablymounted in said boxes, an eccentric rotatable on said shaft, a ratchetwheel rotatable on'said shaft above said boss and secured to saideccentric, .a spring seated in said guideway, a pawl movably guided insaid guideway upon said spring and engaging said ratchet Wheel, an armxedly In testimony whereof, I affix my signature secured to sai shaftbetveen Said vheel and in presence of tWo Witnesses.

said one of t e boxes, a og carrie by said arm and engaging said ratchetWhee1,' aJ JOHN RICE' pump barrel supported in said reservoir, aWitnesses:

plunger n said barrel, and a yoke secured JASON MOORE,

to said plunger and embracing said eccentric. S. E. MGCORMICK.

Copie; et this patent may ba obtained for ve cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner et Patents,

Washington, D. 0.

